Do You Keep Extra 'Stuff' Ready for Foster Children?

Friday night I spent at the mall with my almost 12-year-old daughter shopping for back to school clothes. Wow, what a fun and frustrating experience. When will I learn to stop telling her what I think is 'cute' or 'cool?' She almost consistently chose the opposite, funny since her friends would make positive comments about the same items I liked. My daughter would pretend to be deaf at this point and walk on.

Makes me wonder if we are prepared for a foster child in regards to the 'stuff' a child needs. Since we are licensed for 0-18 year old children, but want to concentrate on 0-8 at this time, I know we are lacking on baby items and back to school needs varies by grade and school district. I think I need to dust off some boxes and see what we have in storage.

As a foster parent, do you try to keep different items on hand or do you find it easier to wait and see what the child needs? Click "comments" and share some of your favorite foster parenting tips on being prepared for different placements.